abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
"What happened?" said Hermione anxiously, stopping so abruptly that Harry walked into her.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
beckon
12 uses
At that moment, the dungeon door opened, and Snape beckoned them all inside.
beckoned = summoned with a gesture
Definition
Generally beckon means:to summon (call to join) with a gesture, or to be desirable and inviting
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
bewilder
13 uses
Bewildered, wondering what on earth he was supposed to have done this time, Harry got up...
bewildered = confused
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conjure
29 uses
...with a flick of his wand, Bill reattached the table leg and conjured tablecloths from nowhere.
conjured = created by magic
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
contrary (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
on the contrary
They did not blame him for what had happened; on the contrary, both thanked him for returning Cedric's body to them.
on the contrary = in opposition to what was just said
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —1 use as in:
to the contrary
"These deaths were not the random work of a lunatic!"
"I see no evidence to the contrary!" shouted Fudge, now matching her anger, his face purpling.
"I see no evidence to the contrary!" shouted Fudge, now matching her anger, his face purpling.
to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Harry could see him sweating in the torchlight, his white skin contrasting strongly with the black of his hair and beard.
contrasting = notably different (in brightness or tone)
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
2 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
A wizard had just Apparated at their fireside, and he could not have made more of a contrast with Ludo Bagman, sprawled on the grass in his old Wasp robes.
contrast = something noticeably different
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
curt
10 uses
"Out of the way, Arthur," said a cold, curt voice.
curt = brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 12 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort.†
directly = personally (person-to-person)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
—including such senses as:
—including such senses as:
- straight (without varying from a straight line)
- exact (without other factors)
- close (with other factors minimized)
- personal (without other people in between)
- unobstructed (without anything in between)
- of a look: straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
You know, I'm starting to think it's time for more direct action.†
direct = straightforward (without involving extra factors)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —5 uses as in:
directed her question to
She illuminated her wand and directed its narrow beam across the path.†
directed = pointed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object — such as
- to aim a gun or comment at someone
- to point in a particular direction
- to focus attention on a particular object
- to guide or give directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- to send someone to a particular place
- to steer a car, boat, etc.
- to send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
discord (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
discord amongst the group
Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great.
discord = conflict and disagreement
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:conflict or disagreement — especially among those expected to cooperate
or (especially in the form "discordant"):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
or (especially in the form "discordant"):
seeming different or wrong along with everything else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
2 —1 use as in:
discordant music
...adding their discordant national anthems to the racket.
discordant = unpleasant sounding together
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
divined from tea leaves
we have almost finished our work on planetary divination.
divination = to predict something by magic
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:to predict or discover something supernaturally (as if by magic)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
impartial
5 uses
The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector:
impartial = lacks bias
Definition
Generally impartial means:without favoritism or bias
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
indignant
20 uses
"We weren't trying to hear him!" said Ron indignantly.
indignantly = angrily (at unjustly being accused of something wrong)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
interpret (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
interpret Spanish to English
Maybe they need an interpreter.†
interpreter = someone who translates language
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
2 —1 use as in:
her interpretation of the data
"You don't have to talk to Ron!" she added irritably, correctly interpreting his silence.†
interpreting = understanding (something in a particular way)
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
stupefy
10 uses
Without pausing to think, he aimed high at the spider's underbelly... and shouted "Stupefy!"
stupefy = (in the book) a spell that makes one unable to think
The name of the spell is based on the underlying definition. Outside of the Rowling novels, it is more commonly seen in the form stupefied—meaning "made unable to think."
The name of the spell is based on the underlying definition. Outside of the Rowling novels, it is more commonly seen in the form stupefied—meaning "made unable to think."
Definition
Generally stupefy means:make one unable to think
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |